PAC-12 Power Rankings: Top Offenses

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Each week this season we will be analyzing each PAC-12 team and ranking them from first to last. Rankings will be based on overall record, quality of opponents faced, and the eye test. Leading into the season, we will be ranking each PAC 12 offense, defense, and giving you an overall preseason ranking of the teams. To continue with this week’s theme, we start our series with each PAC-12 offense.

#1: Boise State

The Broncos have the most well-rounded offense in the conference. They have an elite running back tandem in Dylan Riley and Sire Gaines, a senior quarterback with three years of starting experience in Maddux Madsen, and an experienced offensive line to protect him. I’m extremely high on junior tight end Matt Wagner; I think he has what it takes to play at the next level with his catch-making ability, and he is a great blocker. There are some questions at wide receiver, though. Their leading returning receiver is Ben Ford and he is coming off of a brutal injury. It looks like they will be relying heavily on a crop of inexperienced receivers. But the biggest question is whether or not Maddux Madsen can stay healthy and take his game to the next level.

#2: Texas State

The Bobcats have the best quarterback in the league in Brad Jackson. Jackson has a strong arm and is an above average passer, but what really makes him special is his ability to extend plays with his legs. I always get a little nervous with running quarterbacks, but if Jackson can stay healthy, he should be in for a big season. The Bobcats also have the best wide receiver tandem in the league with two returning 1,000-yard receivers in Beau Sparks and Chris Dawn Jr. I am concerned about the running game and offensive line. There are some question marks surrounding both of those groups.

#3: Washington State

I’m on the record saying I am extremely high on UC Davis transfer quarterback Caden Pinnick. Pinnick is going to thrive under the tutelage of Kirby Moore and be one of the best quarterbacks in the PAC-12. The Cougars should also have one of the best offensive lines in the conference and have some talented wide receivers in Tony Freeman and Daniel Blood. There are some concerns about depth and potential issues with the running game, but I think the Cougars have what it takes to be one of the best offenses in the conference.

#4: Utah State

There are a number of questions surrounding this offense, but we can count on any Bronco Mendenhall offense putting up a lot of points. McCae Hillstead returns to Logan after spending the previous two seasons at BYU. Hillstead started his career in Logan but transferred after his true freshman season. I expect running back Javen Jacobs to have a big season and Anthony Garcia will likely be a big weapon in both the passing game and running game. The unknowns are giving me a little bit of a pause, because they will be relying heavily on portal additions at wide receiver and on the offensive line.

#5: San Diego State

Lucky Sutton and Christian Washington have the potential to be one of the best running back tandems in the conference. As a result, this team will lean heavily on its running game. Jayden Denegal returns as the likely starter at quarterback. Whether that is a good or bad thing remains to be seen. This team has a very talented weapon at wide receiver in Jordan Napier, but they need a quarterback that can get him the ball. There is a lot of potential with this unit, but they have to be much better throwing the ball this season if they are going to contend for the PAC-12 championship.

#6: Oregon State

The Beavers’ offense will look much different this season under the leadership of new head coach JaMarcus Shephard and offensive coordinator Mitch Dahlen. Former Duke transfer Maalik Murphy returns for his second season in Corvallis and seems like the likely candidate to win the starting quarterback job. However, the Beaver did bring him a highly regarded FCS quarterback in Mercer transfer Braden Atkinson. The Beavers will be breaking in a new running back after losing senior Anthony Hankerson, and there are also some questions at wide receiver, but Shephard did bring in some talented players from the portal that have a lot to prove. The offensive line will need to improve drastically; they return most of their starters but gave up 26 sacks last season. A number that will need to be much better this fall.

#7: Fresno State

Quarterback uncertainty makes this unit difficult to evaluate. The Bulldog offense was really bad for the majority of the 2025 football season, but I would be shocked if they didn’t show significant improvement this season. I like their running back room with Rayshon Luke and Bryson Donelson leading the way. There is also some talent at wide receiver with Josiah Freeman and Ezekiel Avit poised for breakout seasons. But there is only so much you can do with potential and it will be in the hands of an unproven quarterback to get the job done. Will it be Maryland transfer Khristian Martin or junior Jayden Mandal that wins the job?

#8: Colorado State

Change can take time. Jim Mora Jr. is inheriting a team that went 2-10 last season. Not only did they go 2-10, they also struggled to put points on the board. To be fair, this roster is going to look much different. Mora Jr. and his staff were very aggressive in the transfer portal, bringing in Oklahoma State transfer Hauss Henjy as the favorite to start at quarterback. This roster is filled with transfers and with that come so many unknowns. I think the Rams will show that the program is trending in the right direction, but I expect significant growing pains on the offensive side of the ball.

How would you rank each offense in the PAC-12? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

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